having understood that

USAGE SUMMARY

"having understood that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone has come to a certain understanding before continuing on to a related action or thought. For example: "Having understood that the situation was dire, we took immediate action to try and rectify it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

"It has stopped growing now," Junior said, approvingly, "having understood that eternity is better than progress.

The New Yorker

"I reproach myself for not having understood that this is a much better organised plan than a simple spontaneous movement," he told the channel Romania TV.

The Guardian

Theodosius, having understood that I was interested in learning about strained yogurt, disappeared around a door and returned bearing the company's single yogurt separator: a white cloth pillowcase, complete with piping on its seams.

The New Yorker

He would rather not broach it—having understood that nothing contributes more to Tory politicians' reputation for being a bit deranged than the animus many reserve for the EU.

The Economist

They have been encouraging me to cook new dishes — apparently never having understood that it's the parent who is supposed to offer exhortations about the value of stretching oneself.

The New Yorker

BBC Scotland understands the club is also concerned about an apparent breach of confidentiality, having understood that both the correspondence sent to and replied to by the club were to be held in the strictest confidence.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

In retrospect, it might have said 'interregnum', but I wouldn't have understood that word.

The Guardian

The Warhol of the race riots and electric chair would have understand that.

The New York Times - Arts

Hobsbawm would have understood that.

The Guardian - Opinion

Gandhi would have understood that.

The New York Times

I should have understood that 50 years ago.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "having understood that" to clearly indicate a prior understanding which influences a subsequent action or statement. This helps to establish a logical connection between ideas.

Common error

Ensure the subject performing the action in the main clause is the same as the one who has understood. Misplacing this can lead to confusing or unintended meanings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "having understood that" functions as an introductory participle phrase, setting the stage for a main clause by indicating a prior comprehension or realization. As Ludwig AI indicates, this usage is grammatically sound and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "having understood that" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that functions as an introductory participle phrase, establishing a logical link between prior understanding and a subsequent action or statement. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is appropriate for various contexts, including news, science, and general writing. It's crucial to ensure that the subject performing the action in the main clause is the same as the one who has understood, to prevent misplaced modifier errors. While alternatives exist, such as "after realizing that" or "recognizing that", the choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey. The authoritative sources demonstrate its prevalence in reputable publications, further validating its usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

recognizing that

Focuses on the act of recognizing or acknowledging something, implying a deliberate cognitive process.

after realizing that

Highlights the process of realization, suggesting a moment of sudden understanding or awareness.

being aware that

Implies a state of consciousness or knowledge about something, often used to introduce a consequence or related action.

given the understanding that

Presents the understanding as a foundational element upon which subsequent actions or conclusions are based.

with the knowledge that

Emphasizes the possession of knowledge as a prerequisite for a subsequent action or decision.

once it was understood that

Emphasizes the point in time when understanding was achieved, shifting the focus to the subsequent events.

in light of the fact that

Similar to "given the understanding that", but emphasizes the factual basis of the understanding.

as it became apparent that

Stresses the gradual unveiling or increasing visibility of the understanding, focusing on the process of becoming clear.

now that it is clear that

Indicates a state of clarity or certainty regarding the understood information, stressing the obviousness.

considering that

Presents the understanding as a factor to be taken into account, suggesting a more deliberative or evaluative process.

FAQs

How can I use "having understood that" in a sentence?

Use "having understood that" to connect a prior realization or comprehension to a subsequent action or statement. For example: "Having understood that the deadline was approaching, I worked through the night."

What are some alternatives to "having understood that"?

You can use alternatives like "after realizing that", "recognizing that", or "being aware that" to convey a similar meaning, depending on the specific context.

Is "having understood that" formal or informal?

"Having understood that" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but tends to be more common in written communication, especially in academic or professional settings.

What's the difference between "having understood that" and "understanding that"?

"Having understood that" emphasizes the completion of the understanding prior to the subsequent action, while "understanding that" can imply a continuous or ongoing state of understanding. The former sets a more definitive sequence.